History

Linna Golf, one of Europe’s best new courses, opened for play at the end of 2005, following four years of careful design and construction.

The course cuts through some of Finland’s finest birch and pine forest on the historic Vanajan Linna estate.

The estate’s history begins in 1918, when it was acquired by Dr Carl Wilhelm Rosenlew, proprietor of the Rosenlew firm. Later on, the estate was expanded to over 500 hectares to enable private elk hunting.

Rosenlew wanted a hunting lodge in a beautiful natural setting to which he could invite leading social and political figures. The castle (Linna is the Finnish word for castle) was designed by leading architect Sigurd Frosterus, combining early 20th century styles with touches of Baroque and Renaissance. Construction began in 1919 and was completed in 1924.

Rosenlew, who was known for his perfectionism and uncompromising standards, had Vanajanlinna built from the best available materials - oak, marble and granite. Visitors included Presidents Mannerheim, Ryti and Svinhufvud, as well as other notables. The influential Fazer family also had their own suite.

Vanajanlinna remained in Rosenlew's possession until 1941. Since 1997 it has operated as a castle hotel, the only one of its kind in Finland.

The Vanajanlinna castle was designed by architect Sigurd Frosterus. (The Stockmann department store in Helsinki is his most important architectural work.) The architecture of the castle area reflects architectural trends from around 1910 to the turn of the 1920? s, with touches of Baroque and Renaissance, as well as their more modest Nordic adaptations. The castle has also features of the English manor building.

The construction of the main building began in 1919 and was completed in 1924. The construction took place in slow tempo mostly in summertime. A narrow-gauge railway was built for the transportation of construction materials on the site of the present road from the Harviala halt.

Main castle area:
- 30 double rooms
- 4 suites for 2 persons
Ratsula: 15 double rooms

Apartments in the Ratsula houses:
- 4 apartments with a double bedroom, living room and kitchen
- 4 apartments with 2 double bedrooms, living room and kitchen
- 3 apartments with 3 double bedrooms, living room and kitchen

Golf suites:
High standard golf suites with own sauna close to the golf course:
Club suites: 12 suites for two persons
Grand suites: 6 suites for four persons


Breakfast buffet is served in the Castle's main restaurant
- on weekdays from 7.00 to 9.30 a.m.
- on weekends from 8.00 to 10.30 a.m.

Linna Golf's championship course has been specially designed to challenge the world's best professionals, while offering the average golfer the ultimate, enjoyable playing experience.

Linna Golf is a member of the prestigious PGA European Tour Courses Group, guaranteeing the highest standards and quality.